First Sunday After Christmas (C) 2018

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Luke 2:49
Theme: Christ Still With Us.

Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

The date for our celebration of Christmas has come and gone, but Christ has gone nowhere. Jesus was not a temporary visitor. The infant of the manger, the escapee to Egypt, the boy teacher in the temple is the Immanuel- God with us. The incarnation- the coming of God’s Son in human flesh is a permanent reality. When Christ ascended to heaven, He didn’t leave His body behind. He didn’t revert back to a spirit-only state. He rules heaven, earth, and hell as God and Man. The same Christ is present for communicants in the body and blood of the Lord’s Supper. “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”1

Dear friends, the Holy Spirit did not deem it necessary to record information about Jesus’ childhood. After the nativity in Bethlehem Mary and Joseph flee with the infant Saviour to Egypt. Herod’s jealousy puts His life in danger. The slaughter of the innocent baby boys in Bethlehem was a dark tragedy. Yet, it was a preview of things to come. It was inevitable that the powerful people of the world would come into conflict with the legitimate King of the universe. The Scripture will continue to be fulfilled that says, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”2 The narrative will endure until He comes again in glory. Western society is undergoing rapid secularization and does not want to hear about God’s condemnation of sin and unbelief.

Returning from Egypt the Holy Family takes up residency in Nazareth. Nazareth was where Jesus grew up in fulfillment of the prophecy, “He will be called a Nazarene.”3 Joseph worked as a carpenter. We know little else until Jesus was twelve years old and accompanied His family to the temple in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Our gospel for today covers this episode in Jesus’ life. Mary and Joseph assumed that on their return journey Jesus was among their wider group of family and friends. Their search took them back to the temple in Jerusalem where they found Him after three days. They were understandably upset. “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”4

Yet, there were much bigger questions to be answered than whether or not Jesus was being a thoughtless 12-year-old-boy. His response was, “‘Why were you searching for Me?...Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father house?’ But they did not understand what He was saying to them.”5 Jesus was giving an overt indication about what the future would hold. His mission was to make the Feast of the Passover obsolete. The Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, but the Messiah would soon deliver God’s people from the greater bondage of sin and death. The blood of the Passover lamb was shed as a type and a foreshadowing. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would shed His own blood to atone for the transgressions of the world. These events were on the cards, but it was too soon for Mary and Joseph to comprehend what Jesus meant.

And so, they were looking for Jesus but didn’t really know who He was when they found Him. Perhaps, like Mary and Joseph, you’ve found yourself anxiously searching at times? Maybe you’ve been looking for a different Jesus than the Bible portrays; one who will be at your beck and call. Maybe in the hustle and bustle of the season you’ve paused to consider whether your priorities are right? Maybe you see that you’ve been over-indulged or have been over-indulging others? Maybe your fear of sin has been feeble and your repentance artificial. Maybe, if you’re candid, you can admit you don’t really see the need for Christ’s forgiveness in your life? Maybe your religious connections this Christmas have just been cultural associations and have had nothing to do with a living faith?

Well, rest assured, that Christ came for sinners and you are among them. He didn’t come by coincidence. He came out of necessity. Joseph and Mary were concerned for the whereabouts of their son Jesus, the holy Son of God. Do you recognise God’s presence in your life or would you rather keep Him at a distance? The Father’s house was the place for God’s Son and it’s the place for us who are coheirs with Him of the Father’s kingdom. All who are baptized into His name are part of a family that spans the dimensions of time and space. The Child of Bethlehem endured the cross of Calvary. He rose again on the third day. He did these things for you and for your salvation.

As we face a new calendar year, what kinds of doubts fill our minds and hopes fill our hearts? Do we fear the future, or do we embrace it? Is it a mixture of both? Remember, you are gifted with the greatest treasure imaginable. The gentle infant has conquered the brutal power of death. He has overthrown the lordship of Satan. Jesus was hung on a cross and rose again from the grave. The piercing accusations of your unworthiness that the devil would lift before the Judge of all have been silenced. They have been completely drowned out by the declaration of pardon the Saviour has made for you. You came into possession of these gifts at your baptism. No one can take them from you.

Christmas is a season for giving. Each year at this time generosity receives its annual promotion. But Christians know that self-sacrifice is part and parcel of living the baptismal life. Each day is gifted to us- we have no right to it- and through our actions and attitudes we offer it back to our Maker. The apostle encourages us today saying, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”6

Jesus is love incarnate. There is nothing that we have, or can give, or may lose that the Lord won’t restore to us 100-fold and more. The blood that flows through your veins, your sense of sight, taste, and smell, your capacity to enjoy, your ability to think- all are gifts from the Creator that will be perfected when you are raised again in glory. Then every fret and worry will have long since vanished.

May the Almighty God open you ears and your hearts so that you treasure the Christmas gospel anew. May He anchor your soul to the unshakeable truth of God-with-us, Emmanuel so that through the stormy seas of life you will be spared from Satan’s fury. Christ is still with us. Nothing and no one are out of His reach. He didn’t linger long at the manger or in the grave but in His Father’s house He will reside forever. Amen.

+ In nomine Jesu +

First Sunday After Christmas
30 December 2018
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 John 1:14
2 Luke 1:52
3 Matthew 2:23
4 Luke 2:48
5 Luke 2:49-50
6 Colossians 3:12-14